Vulture

A vulture is a scavenger bird, feeding mostly from carcasses of dead animals. Vultures may be found in Africa, North America, and South America. A particular characteristic of vultures is the bald head, devoid of feathers. This is likely because a feathered head would become spattered with blood and other fluids, and thus be difficult to keep clean.

The North American Turkey Vulture is an extremely graceful bird in flight. It seldom needs to flap its long wings once airborne, but soars high overhead looking for carcasses. One of nature's best garbage disposals.

Public domain picture from U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

The other North American vulture is the American Black Vulture. This tends to have a more southerly distribution than its compatriot, which breeds well into Canada.

Personal photograph at Flamingo Florida

New World vultures are not at all closely related to the superficially similar Old World vultures.